Cape Verde President Praises Historic World Cup Draw vs Spain
ATLANTA, USA — The President of Cape Verde has hailed his national football team’s “world-shaking” performance following a historic 0-0 draw against powerhouse Spain in their World Cup debut on Monday.
The “Blue Sharks” defied the odds at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, securing a vital point in their first-ever match on football’s biggest stage. President José Maria Neves, who watched the match from the stands before visiting the players in the locker room, took to social media to praise the squad’s resilience.
“Congratulations on a debut that surprised the world,” Neves wrote on his official Facebook page. “We are making history every day.”
A ‘Giant in Grit’
The sentiment was echoed by Prime Minister-designate Francisco Carvalho, who is set to be sworn into office this Friday. Carvalho singled out veteran goalkeeper Vozinha, whose string of spectacular saves kept the Spanish giants at bay throughout the 90 minutes.
“With this beautiful and symbolic photograph, I record my emotion, shared by all Cape Verdeans,” Carvalho posted alongside an image of a Vozinha save. He described the match as a metaphor for the nation itself: “A determined people who do not give up, who fight, and who face challenges with joy.”
“Our heroes showed the world that Cape Verde, despite its small geographical size, is a giant in grit and humanity,” Carvalho added.
Wide Open Group
The stalemate leaves Group H in a dead heat. Following the first round of matches, all four teams—Cape Verde, Spain, Uruguay, and Saudi Arabia—sit level with one point each.
The Blue Sharks will look to build on this momentum as they continue their American campaign. They are scheduled to face Uruguay this Sunday in Miami, before concluding the group stage against Saudi Arabia on June 26 in Houston.
Image: Pexels – Guylain Kipoke
